The Homeschool Mother's Journal ~ April 27, 2016

IN MY LIFE
Do Christians sin, whether willfully or not, or do they not sin? That is the question. I know what I have been taught my whole life, but beginning in 2003, I have been learning that not everything that we are taught in American popular Christianity is true according to the Bible. So, instead of relying on the teaching of my youth, I am studying to find the Biblical answer to this question.

IN OUR HOMESCHOOL
We are currently in Week 31 of the school year, but we are only at Week 28 in the curriculum, but that is Super Duper A-O-K. :-)

Bible - We continue learning about Jesus and who He is. Two more of His names has been added to our "Names of Jesus" poster - Jesus the Servant, Matt. 20:28 and Jesus the Good Shepherd, John 10:14.  We have also been reading through Wisdom and the Millers which is based on the book of Proverbs. This has been quite beneficial. 

History - We have learned how the country has explored the land to the west of the Mississippi river covering the California Gold Rush and the 3 trails leading west: The Santa Fe Trail, The Oregon Trail and the California Trail. Minnesota became a state in 1858 and Oregon in 1859. Then we learned all about Abraham Lincoln and a tiny bit about the Civil War. I love the way this curriculum makes history fun with various activities to accompany the topics of discovery. Look for a post on that coming soon. ;-) 

Science - Science has been tons of fun and I'm sorry I haven't been able to get more pics and talk more about it. These last few weeks have covered solids, liquids and gases, experimenting with fizz. We've looked at how material change and experimenting with freezing and melting different items in the kitchen. Tomorrow and Friday we'll discover interesting things about magnets. We can't wait for that. 

Math - There's not much to report here. We have moved on to subtraction while we continue to review the addition facts. 

Language Arts - I am amazed at how much Jonathan is learning in such short short lessons. He hasn't complained very much about the handwriting lately, which is an improvement. :-) Adelle has continued with Letter Writing Wednesdays. The only thing that trips us up a little is when she wants to add pictures using construction paper making the envelope heavier and we have hit the post office to make sure we don't need extra postage. LOL

Read Alouds - We started a book called Mountain Born. It's the story of a boy named Peter who lives on a farm and learns to care for a flock of sheep. It's very fitting for our 2 weeks of learning about Jesus the Good Shepherd. :-)

SOMETHING NEW
We started to conduct science experiments with our friends. Two families come over on Fridays to learn science together. We then have lunch and hang out for a little play time afterwards. That has been a fun addition to our schedule.  

A DECISION FINALLY MADE
I have finally decided on curriculum for Jonathan's 2nd grade year. Christian Liberty Press. I'm not getting the whole 2nd grade kit, but I am getting most of the books in that pack. I will have to go into more details at a later time, but I am glad to finally have this under my belt. Now I can focus on purchasing. 

WE'RE READING
I'd like to give a shout out to my most gracious aunt who has purchased books by Mildred A. Martin that I was wanting in which I mentioned in one of my former Homeschool Mother's Journal posts.  

Ever heard of the book series called Christian Heroes: Then and Now? I borrowed a couple of them from a fellow homeschool mom and they are fantastic. These are true stories that chronicle the lives of ordinary men and women whose trust in God accomplished extraordinary exploits for His kingdom and glory; written for age 10 years and older. 

These are great! Very inspiring! 

I now own about 5 of these books, thanks once again goes to my aunt.  What a blessing! 

TODAY'S GRACE GEM

The Devil's Chapel!

(William S. Plumer, "The Ten Commandments")

"I will set before my eyes no vile thing!" Psalm 101:3

"The theater is an evil place. In this vortex of vice--
  the first step is to the theater,
  the next is to the bar,
  the next is to lewd company,
  the next is to the brothel,
  the next is to disease,
  the next is to death, and
  the last step is to HELL!" 

Augustine: "Stage-plays are the subverters of goodness and honesty--the destroyers of all modesty and chastity."

Bernard: "All true soldiers of Jesus Christ abominate and reject all stage-plays, as vanities and false frenzies." 

Seneca: "Nothing is so destructive of good manners or morals--as attendance on the theater." 

Gregory Nazianzen: "Play-houses are the lascivious shops of all filthiness and impurity." 

Tillotson: "The play-house is the devil's chapel, a nursery of licentiousness and vice; a recreation which ought not to be allowed among a civilized nation, much less a Christian people."

The American Congress, October 12th, 1778: "Whereas, true religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness: Resolved, that it be, and is hereby earnestly recommended to the several States--to take the most effectual means for the suppressing of theatrical entertainments, horse-racing, gambling, and such other diversions, as are productive of idleness, dissipation, and a general depravity of principles and manners." 

[Editor's note: One can only imagine what the above authors would say about much of the debased media which professing Christians now amuse themselves with!]